National Religious Party

The Mafdal (Hebrew: מפד"ל) is an Israeli political party representing the religious Zionist movement. Mafdal is an accronymous for מפלגה דתית לאומית , National Religious Party or NRP for short.

Religious Zionism : Background

The Religious Zionist Movement (RZM for short) is a faction within the Zionist movement which combines a belief in the importance of a Jewish state in the land of Israel with a religious way of life. It is contrasted against secular Zionism on the one hand and anti-Zionist orthodox movements on the other. The founder and main ideologist of the RZM was Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook who urged young religious Jews to settle Israel and called upon the secular Labour Zionists to pay more attention and thoughtfulness toward Judaism. Rabbi Kook saw Zionism as a part of a divine scheme which will result at the end in a resettling of the Jewish people in its homeland and the coming of the Messiah.

History

The Mafdal was created after Hapoel Ha-Mizrachi ("The Workers Religious Centre") and Ha-Mizrachi ("The Religious Centre") merged on 1956. The founders of the Mafdal were doctor Jossef Burg and Haim Moshe Shapira who focused its activity mainly on the position of the Jewish religion within the framwork of Israeli society. Throughout the Mafdal's existence it has attempted to increase or preserve the relevance of Judaism in issues such as Israeli personal status laws, education, culture, and municipal issues such as inhibitions for selling of non-Kosher food (in prescribed areas, and occasionally throughout a given municipality), prohibiting transportation and public activities on the Sabbath, and so forth.

The Mafdal has operated a trade union (Hapoel Ha-Mizrahi), a newspaper (Ha-Tzofe) and a youth-movement (Bnei Akiva). The newspaper and the youth movement still exist today in sharp contrast to other party newspapers such as Davar or Al HaMishmar that lost their respective parties' backings and eventually closed down.

At 1969 a new generation rose in the Mafdal, led by the late Zvulon Hamer and by Yeuda Ben-Meir, called the youth (Hebrew: הצעירים), which demanded that the party will pay more attention to socioeconomical issues in addition to its customary topics of interest. They were also to lead the Mafdal into the right-wing of Israeli politics. Ironically, perhaps, Jossef Burg was to outlive Zvulon Hamer, who passed away in 1997 from a heart attack.

The Mafdal participated in all the governments of Israel until 1992. It was considered during the majority of this period to be a central party, interested mainly in religious matters and imprevious to the left-right devision of the Israeli public. Indeed, the long time cooperation between the Israeli Labour Party and the Mafdal is sometimes referred to as the historic league (Hebrew:הברית ההיסטורית). The seeds of change were sown in 1967, when Israel's victory in the Six-Day War spawned messianic trends among religious Israeli Jews that would end up in transforming this population into highly right-wing, finally forcing the corresponding political parties to follow suit. Today the Mafdal is a strict right-wing party which cannot be imagined in the same coalition with the Labor party, much less with the more left-wing parties such as Meretz.

From its inception until 1981 the Mafdal maintained an almost constant number of 12 members of the Israeli Knesset. In 1981 it shrunk to 6 and never quite recuperated. The reasons are probably diverse, and have to do with an overall shrinkage in its natural voting population, the moderate orthodox Jews; with its progressive turn towards the right-wing; with the growing importance of the right-left scism in Israeli politics; and with the rise of strict Sephardic parties such as Tami and later on Shas.

The Ideology of the Mafdal

Main Principles

Mafdal is a Zionist party and states that Israel is a "Jewish democratic state". The Mafdal main goal is to contribute as much as it can to the state of Israel and influence its character to be more Jewish, including to fight till death for the protection of Israel and for maintaining Israel's security.

"The core belief “the Land of Israel for the People of Israel according to the Torah of Israel” commits the N.R.P. to doing everything possible to further the security and integrity of the Land of Israel. The N.R.P. aspires to influence policy from within the government, and thus continue to safeguard Eretz Israel."

Unlike the Haredi Jewish parties (Shas and United Torah Judaism) the Mafdal does not promote Medinat Halacha - a theocracy run according to the Jewish law. The Mafdal want to keep Israel's democratic character and make the Israelis better people and better Jews by using as role-models and teaching them Judaism and tradition with love and kindness. Also, Mafdal holds that Haredi Jews must also complete 3 years of mandatory military service.

The Mafdal also emphasis national unity and vowed to use as bridge between the different parts of Israeli society.

"Religious and secular, Sephardim and Askenazim, right and left, old-times and new immigrants – we are all one people. The N.R.P. works toward national unity, absorption of immigration, and bringing people together from all sectors of the population. Without hatred and without coercion. Gently, pleasantly, and with a smile."

They call it Ahavat Israel אהבת ישראל (Love of Israel).

The Mafdal is the patron of most of the national religious schools (חינוך ממלכתי-דתי), which teach both Judaism and general mandatory educational subjects such as mathematics, English, Literature, physics, biology etc. It even sponsors some pre-military schools for giving higher education to future IDF officers and commanders. Besides funding and patronising national religious schools it also supports Yeshiva schools and Beit Midrash schools, places dedicated solely to learning the Torah. They also run "Yeshivot Hesder", places that allow religious soldiers to combine combat military service with learning Torah.

"The N.R.P. actively promotes Torah in Israel and strengthens national religious institutions: Zionist rabbinical training institutes, Zionist Kollels, Yeshivot gevohot, Hesder Yeshivot, Yeshiva high schools, and more. The N.R.P. encourages Zionist rabbis to take on active roles as teachers in Yeshivot, and as spiritual leaders in cities and in neighborhoods."

Mafdal believes that the land of Israel is holy and belongs to the Jews on the basis of God's promise to Abraham and later to Itzhak and Jacob. They believe it is God's will to settle all the land of Israel and nurture it. This principle has great impact on Mafdal policy toward the disputed territories and the Palestinian issue.

Source: http://www.mafdal.org.il/?sid=27

Religion and State

The Mafdal is against separation of religion and state and believe that Israel should keep its special Jewish character and enhance its commitment to the Jewish heritage.

The Mafdal argues that affairs of personal status (such as marriage, divorces and burial) should be kept within the sovereignty of the Rabbis (or other religious clerics for non-Jews).

The Mafdal claims that the Jewish state must show respect for the Jewish religion by preserving the Sabbath and Kosher food in its institution and organizations (such as the IDF, public transportation, the police and governmental companies such as El Al national airline).

The Mafdal calls to reformulate the Israeli law so that only orthodox conversion is valid for purposes of granting citizenship by the Law of Return. This is a controversial position — it is upheld by all religious parties in Israel (there are practically no reform or conservative Jews in Israel) but rejected by all secular parties claiming that it will undermine Israel's connections with worldwide, and especially American Jews.

Within Israel, the Mafdal advocates that the Rabbinate must act to ease the procedures for non-Jews who want to convert, following the Neeman Commity (Hebrew: ועדת נאמן) recommendations [1]. It also calls for the restoration of the race clause in the Israeli identification card. Both have to do with a recent debate about Russian emegrents whose Judaism was suspected. The Mafdal found itself in this debate on the same side as the secular parties, and opposing the views of the ultra-orthodox parties and particularly Shas.

The conscripton of Yeshiva students is a particularly sensitive issue in the Mafdal's rhetorics. Historically the Mafdal initiated the regulations allowing Yeshiva students to avoid military service and was its starkest supporter for years. This has become more and more in tension with the Mafdal's ideology and voter public as the party veered more and more to the right; and as the number of such students rose sharply leading to allegations that many are fictive. Today the Mafdal explicitly states that participation in the IDF is a Mitzvah and a moral obligation יא, and stresses that its "finest youth... serve in the elite commando and combat units in the IDF" [2]. However, it does not reject any of the current arrangements, nor suggest to limit number of said students in any way.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Israeli settlements

Judea and Shomron were parts of the ancient kingdom of Israel and Mafdal considers them as an integral part of the homeland. Therefore, it sees nothing wrong in resettling the old land after 2000 years of exile. Moreover, Mafdal sees the settlements as noble idealistic acts to keep the Mitzvah of settling the land of Israel. That is the reason why it supports them and many of its supporters and parliament members are settlers.

While others are willing to give up territories to a future Palestinian state, the Mafdal is ruling out that option. The 4 principles are:

There will only be one state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea – the State of Israel.
No independent national Arab entity will exist within the limits of the Land of Israel.
No part of Israel will be given over to a foreign government or authority.
The State of Israel will strive for peace and make every effort to attain it.

However, Mafdal does agree of giving the Palestinian Arabs a self-governing autonomy, subjected to Israel only in matters of security and foreign affairs (borders, diplomacy). That, of course, without the dismantling of the settlements.

After the outbreak of violent riots and massive waves of terrorism against Israel by Palestinian Arabs, Mafdal demanded harsh military response to "root out terror infrastructure". It also called to disband the "terror supportive" Palestinian Authority and to deport the PLO back to Tunis.

Mafdal believes that Israel can stop the waves of Palestinian violence by using military force adequately.

Source: http://www.mafdal.org.il/?sid=27

Social issues and Welfare

Mafdal does not hold a complete economic ideology (such as Marxism or Capitalism). However, Mafdal believes that Israeli society and the state of Israel should support the poor and the needy. This, they said, is derived from the Mitzvot of the Torah.

In the 15th Knesset, Mafdal passed out 40 laws protecting the rights of weak populations and citizens. It was the leading party in social lawmaking per Knesset members. Zvulon Orlev, Mafdal's Knesset member, won the award of the Best legistlator of the 15th Knesset

Members and supporters

Knesset members

The Mafdal have 6 seats in the current Knesset (16th Knesset). The member of parliament are:

Tat-Aluf Ephraim Eitam (Efi Fine) - the head of Mafdal, former general and a war hero in the IDF (earned a medal of honor עיטור המופת in the Yom Kippur War). Has M.A. in political science and international relations.
Zevulun Orlev - A teacher, considered to be the most hardworking dedicated Knesset members, won the award of the Best legistlator of the 15th Knesset. As a soldier, Orlev earned a medal of honor for bravery and resourcefulness in the Yom Kippur War.
Shaul Yaalom - the head of Mafdal Knesset faction. One of the most experienced Knesset member of the Mafdal
Rabbi Izhake Levi - a Rabbi and a teacher. The most senior and experienced Knesset member from the Mafdal.
Gila Finklestein - was a principal of the religious high school Zeitlin צייטלין in Tel Aviv.
Nisan Salomianski - a physicist and qualified for Rabbinate.

Supporters

Mafdal supports composed mainly from the religious Zionists, who are ideologic religious Jews, which obey all the laws and commandment (Mitzvah) of Judaism. They are considered as highly-motivated and disciplined soldiers and have excellent reputation of contributing to the Israeli state and the Israeli society. However, they are idealist and very stubborn concerning ideology issues. Many of them are living in West Bank settlements.

"Wherever you look, you see them. Members of the national religious community, with the knitted kippot on their heads. In academia, in economic life, in the educational system, in hi-tech, medicine, the courts, the I.D.F., even in the media. Each one of them doing their bit of kiddush Hashem in daily endeavors."

The religious Zionists can be recognized by their colorful hand knitted yarmulkah (skull-cap , כיפה ) and therefore their nickname is הכיפות הסרוגות (Ha-Kippot Ha-Srugot", lit. "The Knitted Yarmulkhas").

Criticism

There is a lot of critism that the Mafdal is focused too much on the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and neglects other issues such as education, social responsibility and Ahavat Israel.

Critics from the Left insist that Mafdal's stubbornness on keeping the settlements is an "obstacle for peace" while critics from the Right say Mafdal isn't pressuring enough to use more military power against Palestinian terrorism.

Critism from religious parties such as Shas and Agudat Israel scorn Mafdal for sitting in the coalition with an ultra-secular party Shinui (which is often described as "anti-religious") and not doing enough to keep the Jewish character of Israel. For example, they state that Mafdal shows little, if any, resistance or dismay, against Internal Minister Avraham Poraz's decision not to enforce the prohibition of selling bread during Passover.

Despite all the criticism, Mafdal has a reputation of honesty and dedication to its parliamentary duties. None of its Knesset members has been blamed in corruption.

Current Status

Mafdal is a member on the current government led by prime minister Ariel Sharon and has 2 ministers on the cabinet. Efi Eitam is the Housing minister and Zvulon Orlev is the Labor & Welfare minister. Rabbi Itzhak Levi is a deputy minister responsible for the Religions ministry (currently in disbanding procedures).

Mafdal is forming the current government's coalition along with the Likud, Shinui and the National Union, which is based on the following base principles:

Hard line policy against Palestinian terrorism and increasing use of the military for counter terror operations.
Supporting the Road Map for Peace, but on reservation that Palestinian should stop terror and replace Yasser Arafat with a democratic prime-minister.
Supporting the Israeli West Bank barrier, in condition it will include the major settlement blocks in the West Bank.
Finding a solution to people who can't marry according to Jewish law in something similiar to civil marriage.
Drafting the ultra-orthodox Jews to military service like the rest of the people.
Keeping the Jewish character of the state of Israel.
Obligation that Shinui won't commit unlitteral actions in state & religion affairs, but rather will talk out issue with Mafdal and reach a compromise.

Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan of 2004 from the Gaza Strip which hints at the removal of Jewish settlements from the strip, caused great controversy within the Mafdal. Sharon has sacked two cabinet ministers from the National Union in order to achieve a majority for approving the plan in his government. Mafdal declared it is resisting the plan and any removal of Jews living in Gush Katif. Following Mafdal and part of the Likud resistance, the government only approved a "fixed" plan with reservation that dismantling of Jewish communities should be voted on separately.

Few days after the resolution, Efi Eitam and Rabbi Itzhak Levi resigned from the government. However, the four other Knesset Members of the Mafdal supported Zvulon Orlev's stand that Mafdal should remain in the coalition and thwart the plan from inside. As for today ( July 6 ), Mafdal faction in the Knesset is split in two:

The Opposition (Eitam and Rabbi Levi) - they resist Sharon's plan and see themselves uncommitted to the coalition and government.
The Coalition (Orlev, Yaalom, Finklestein) - they are still in the coalition, but vowed to quit if a Jewish settlement is actually dismantled.

Nisan Salomianski hasn't taken clear position and tries to compromise between the two factions.

On September 13, 2004, the Mafdal's "center" (a forum consists of all Mafdal's party members with a voting right) voted between Efi Eitam's proposal of immediate quiting of the government and Zvulon Orlev's proposal to leave the government only when it approve actual removal of settlements. Eitam and Orlev agreed that the "center" decision will be binding. [3] The "center" supported Orlev's proposal by 65%-35%. Orlev proposal states that Mafdal will stay in the government in condition that the government will not hold a general referendum ( משאל עם ) on removal of Israeli settlements, which will require special majority, before the issue will be brought to decision on the Knesset. If such a referendum will not be held, or if the government will approve de-facto removal of Israeli settlements, Mafdal will immidetly quit the government. [4]

It was decided the Mafdal will quit the government if one of the following will occure:

The government will approve actual dismantling of Israeli settlements.
The Knesset will complete the laws of evacuations and compensations.
The Israeli Labor party will join the government and the coalition.
A general referendum on the disgengagement will not be held.

External links

Mafdal Official Website (Hebrew)
Madal Overview and Mafdal Platform (English)
The Website of Shaul Yaalom (Hebrew)
The Israeli Knesset Official Website (Hebrew, English and Arabic)